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(Aug. 31, 2016) - The Portland Bureau of Transportation and Portland Police Bureau announced the results of a crosswalk safety education and enforcement action that took place today from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. at the marked crossing at N Willis Boulevard at N Courtenay Avenue to raise awareness of pedestrian safety and Oregon traffic laws.

As part of the action, Portland Transportation Director Leah Treat, Oregon Department of Transportation Region 1 Manager Rian Windsheimer and Sasquatch from the “Oregonian Crossing” safety campaign crossed the street with students heading to school at Cesar Chavez K-8 this morning.

Education and enforcement actions such as today's event are a key part of the City of Portland’s citywide effort to reach its Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries in Portland's streets.

Under Oregon law, EVERY intersection is a legal crosswalk whether it is marked or unmarked. People driving must stop and stay stopped for people walking when the pedestrian is in the travel lane or the adjacent lane.

The crossing is heavily used by school children and transit riders - as it is directly in front of Cesar Chavez K-8 School and near two TriMet bus stops.

Each crosswalk enforcement action involves a designated pedestrian crossing at a marked or unmarked crosswalk while police monitor how people driving, bicycling and walking adhere to traffic safety laws. Drivers who fail to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk and pedestrians who fail to follow Oregon traffic laws may be issued a warning or citation. A PBOT staff person served as the designated pedestrian crossing the street during today’s action.

Near schools, people driving need to be especially mindful and watch out for parents and children walking and biking. As students head back to school, it’s particularly important to obey traffic laws and drive safely in school zones. Drivers should also be aware that Portland Police Bureau officers will be at every school during the first few weeks of the school year to enforce school speed zones and other traffic laws.

Crosswalk education and enforcement actions are an effective way to communicate traffic laws to people driving and walking. The transportation and police bureaus do education and enforcement actions throughout the year in response to requests by community members, city traffic safety engineers, and Portland Police to educate the general public on the rules at marked and unmarked crossings.